Different teams/projects have different needs and require different solutions. While it's good it worked in their favor, I am quite confident that someone else can tell a completely different story. In fact, there are some comments in this very HN discussion that detail their negative experience with htmx. I would not use one or the other to "convince" anybody to go with either solution like what this article attempts to do.
Disliking evangelism is something most of us can relate. I give you that. And everything you said is very reasonable.
But have you tried it though? Don’t you think it’s time to give your story? Slam your needs to htmx and see what comes out of it’s ruins?